Russian tortoise

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Classroom Pets Chatboard

Russian tortoise

by new teacher

Jun 15, 2009

Hi, I am a new teacher and am considering getting a Russian Tortoise for my classroom. Has anyone had one of these before? Any suggestions? What do you do with them over the weekends? Of course I would bring it home during the summer and other long holidays but are they ok during weekends or would they have to be transported weekends as well?

Also suggestions of other types of pets would be great as well since I'm not 100% on this one. Thanks!!

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Traci Go to [link removed]

There is a wealth of info and I bet you'll find that a Russian Tortoise might be the perfect pet for the classroom!!

On 6/15/09, new teacher wrote: > Hi, I am a new teacher and am considering getting a > Russian Tortoise for my classroom. Has anyone had one of > these before? Any suggestions? What ...See More

Jun 15, 2009

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Susie I had a Russian tortoise as a classroom pet for many years. Unfortunately, she just died a few weeks ago from a bacterial infection. My experience with this pet was positive. She was a low maintenance pet and enjoyed her heat lamp, field greens, and exploring the classroom and outside. They also move quickly so keep an eye on it at all times. If yo...See MoreI had a Russian tortoise as a classroom pet for many years. Unfortunately, she just died a few weeks ago from a bacterial infection. My experience with this pet was positive. She was a low maintenance pet and enjoyed her heat lamp, field greens, and exploring the classroom and outside. They also move quickly so keep an eye on it at all times. If you bring the tort outside, be sure that nothing has been sprayed on the grass.

Several things you should know:

**As with any reptile, these torts carry salmonella on their shells. Hand washing is a must for you and students if they handle them. We kept hand sanitizer by her cage at all times. **They scratch when picked up. Warn students of that before letting them handle the tort. Sasha was dropped, thankfully a short distance on a rug, several times by students who didn't follow directions. **I had to take her to the vets; be sure to check with your veterinarian about whether or not they treat exotic animals. A tort is considered just that. My school district also required a certificate of health from the vet at the beginning of each school year to make sure she was free of parasites. **You must be extremely careful of letting them hibernate in the winter. Sasha did this winter and to my dismay did not completely clear herself out that's where the bacteria came from that killed her or so the vet thought. **Check the website that was listed or Google Russian tortoise care for complete info on this neat pet. **I also never let any of the students take her home over holidays and long weekends. **Don't keep her in an aquarium either. I used a long Rubbermaid tub for winter and a mesh reptile cage for the rest of the year. I also used that cheap green carpet like for decks and newspaper or shredded paper for her "nest". The cedar chips that were suggested on some websites were expensive and smelled. The carpet and shredded paper was easy to clean and inexpensive. **A heat stone worked very well to keep her enclosure warm in the winter. Be sure you have the correct lighting for your tort.

Finally, be aware that these tortoises can live for up to 80 years so be prepared to be in this for the long haul.

Best of luck with whatever pet you choose.

Susie

Jul 21, 2009

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Wendy We have a Russian Tortoise as a pet at home and he is great. We were told that they did not have to hibernate and so we don't allow him too. When he hears us coming he comes out and waits for his food and enjoys "hanging out" with us. They don't smell at all. We completely empty his "home" once every 2 months to clean out and we spot clean in betwe...See MoreWe have a Russian Tortoise as a pet at home and he is great. We were told that they did not have to hibernate and so we don't allow him too. When he hears us coming he comes out and waits for his food and enjoys "hanging out" with us. They don't smell at all. We completely empty his "home" once every 2 months to clean out and we spot clean in between. A great idea in the classroom! Our children love him.

On 7/21/09, Susie wrote: > I had a Russian tortoise as a classroom pet for many years. > Unfortunately, she just died a few weeks ago from a bacterial > infection. My experience with this pet was positive. She was a > low maintenance pet and enjoyed her heat lamp, field greens, and > exploring the classroom and outside. They also move quickly so > keep an eye on it at all times. If you bring the tort outside, > be sure that nothing has been sprayed on the grass. > > Several things you should know: > > **As with any reptile, these torts carry salmonella on their > shells. Hand washing is a must for you and students if they > handle them. We kept hand sanitizer by her cage at all times. > **They scratch when picked up. Warn students of that before > letting them handle the tort. Sasha was dropped, thankfully a > short distance on a rug, several times by students who didn't > follow directions. > **I had to take her to the vets; be sure to check with your > veterinarian about whether or not they treat exotic animals. A > tort is considered just that. My school district also required a > certificate of health from the vet at the beginning of each > school year to make sure she was free of parasites. > **You must be extremely careful of letting them hibernate in the > winter. Sasha did this winter and to my dismay did not > completely clear herself out that's where the bacteria came from > that killed her or so the vet thought. > **Check the website that was listed or Google Russian tortoise > care for complete info on this neat pet. > **I also never let any of the students take her home over > holidays and long weekends. > **Don't keep her in an aquarium either. I used a long Rubbermaid > tub for winter and a mesh reptile cage for the rest of the year. > I also used that cheap green carpet like for decks and newspaper > or shredded paper for her "nest". The cedar chips that were > suggested on some websites were expensive and smelled. The > carpet and shredded paper was easy to clean and inexpensive. > **A heat stone worked very well to keep her enclosure warm in the > winter. Be sure you have the correct lighting for your tort. > > Finally, be aware that these tortoises can live for up to 80 > years so be prepared to be in this for the long haul. > > Best of luck with whatever pet you choose. > > Susie

Jan 4, 2010

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